Santiago Flores has picked strawberries for 37 years in fields throughout California. But what Flores, 52, remembers the most from all these years is a humble, compassionate man who made a difference not only in his life but also in the lives of many farmworkers.

"I didn’t know what a break was until things changed, thanks to Cesar Chavez’s work," Flores said.is Flores a speaker at this event or just a visitor?

Flores lives at Villa Cesar Chavez Farmworker Family Apartments in Oxnard, where 300 people gathered Saturday to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day, which is officially recognized in California on Monday.

Flores, who spoke to the group, said he met Chavez in 1975 at a meeting in Mendocino, where Chavez was advocating for the rights of farmworkers. Back then, employers often mistreated farmworkers, who also faced poor living and working conditions, but thanks to Chavez things have improved, said Flores.

Jaime Ceja, resident manager at the apartment complex, said this is the second year the complex has they havemarked Cesar Chavez Day, and it coincides with the second anniversary of the construction of the complex.

"He had a great impact in our community; everybody respects him and looks up to him as a hero," Ceja said. "There is a strong sense of community and togetherness in here, and Cesar Chavez would have liked to see that."

Chavez was born on March 31, 1927 and his birthday has become a state holiday in several states. is Monday the state holiday? yesDuring his childhood he lived for a short time in La Colonia in Oxnard, where his parents worked in the fields. He became a labor leader and civil rights activist who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers.

Despite the good changes that Chavez made in the lives of many farmworkers, there are still many farmworkers who struggle with the working and living conditions, Flores said.

"We need to keep his dream of improving the lives of farmworkers alive," he said. "We need to continue moving forward in fighting for the farmworkers’ rights."

Jorge Garcia, 41, of Camarillo, said Chavez left a big legacy because he taught farmworkers they can get organized to fight for their rights in a peaceful way. "Now farmworkers can move forward with dignityand they are aware of their rights thanks to César Chávez," said Garcia, whose father worked in the fields.

For Flores, Cesar Chavez Day should be a day to let future generations know that somebody fought for them so that one day they can do the same for others.

"I teach my children about him. I have told them everything I suffered since I came to the U.S. from Mexico so they can value what they have and what I do for them," Flores said.

The Saturday celebration started with a history of Chavez, followed by arts and crafts, guest speakers, mariachi music and ballet folkloric performances.

Ohtli Garcia, 8, who gave a presentation on the history of Chavez, said, ll children should know about the history of this country. "He is a hero because he changed things for the good of farmworkers."